E-journal post #4 - Innovations

New Type of Energy Charging, Micro-Cable Power Textile

 Nowadays, people use more and more electronic gadgets in their everyday lives. Everyone use at least more than one electronic device, such as smartphone, smart watch or tablet PCs. As a result, they got the need for the charging devices as well and many charging devices have also been invented. Many people take battery charger cables with them when they go out. Some people even use portable batteries. These are all very convenient, but what if you don’t need to carry any of them to charge your smartphone anywhere at any time? Scientists in China and the United States have created a new type of fabric, the micro-cable power textile, which can produce electricity.

 The core principle of the new textile is integrating two materials. The team of researchers at the Georgia Tech School of Materials Science and Engineering, led by professor Zhong Lin Wang, has integrated a polymer-fiber-based solar cell in fabricating a triboelectric nanogenerator to make the new type of fabric. The light and mechanical energy could be harvested simultaneously by the combination of photoanodes, the solar cells made from lightweight polymer fibers, and TENG, the triboelectric nanogenerator. Georgia Tech says that the micro-cable power textile has a single-layer interlaced structure, which is a mixture of two polymer-wire-based energy harvesters, including both a fabric TENG to convert mechanical movement into electricity and a photovoltaic textile to gather power from ambient sunlight. They attached a piece of fabric about the size of a standard sheet of paper to a rod, similar to a flag. Then they blew the textile flag in the wind with cars driven with the windows open, which generated considerable power even on cloudy days. Under natural daylight with mechanical excitation, the textile can generate sufficient power for various electrical equipment, such as smartphone or electronic watch. The researchers measured the textile can charge a 2mF commercial capacitor up to 2 V in 1 min.

 

 The micro-cable power textile has many benefits. According to Wang, the fabric is highly flexible, breathable, light weight and adaptable to a range of uses. This textile can be the easiest one to carry than any other portable batteries or chargers. As the power generating function can be equipped on the clothes by fabricating special textiles in them, people do not have to carry but just wear the functional clothing. As it looks just like other normal clothing, it does not appear to be different from other pieces of clothing. It is also inexpensive. As the power generating textile is based on polymer fibers, it is suitable for large-scale manufacturing. The polymer fibers, the main material to manufacture the hybrid power textile, are commonly-used material and inexpensive. Also, the invention can be manufactured through low-cost processes. This means people will be able to use this knew charging technology conveniently with not much money. The other benefit of this textile is that it is eco-friendly. The fabric is made from environmentally responsible materials. The main material of the invention, polymer fiber, is one of the environmentally friendly material. By using this material, the textile can also be environmentally friendly. Moreover, this textile is the technology of generating power without pollution. The power is limited to amount of charging our portable gadgets just yet, but the researchers are still working on improving the durability and capacity. This might lead us to get electricity for bigger devices without thermal power plant or nuclear power plant in the future.

 The scientists at Georgia Tech has developed a portable, low-cost, and eco-friendly hybrid textile which can generate electricity, by combining polymer-fiber-based solar cell with a triboelectric nanogenerator. With this invention, we can charge our smartphones anywhere at any time without carrying necessities. As this technology is low-cost and easy to make electricity, probably people in developing countries would also get great help for their livings. This kind of simple-looking invention might help millions of people all over the world and the environment.

E-journal post #3 - Unit 7 (Ensuring a sustainable future)

Green Building for Greener Future

 

   Environmental pollution is probably one of the most important and serious problem that the world is facing these days. It has existed for centuries but only started to be significant following the industrial revolution in the 19^th century. Pollution occurs when the natural environment cannot destroy an element without creating harm or damage to itself. It means our earth is not capable of protecting itself from the harmful substances anymore. This is why we really need to take actions for the sustainable future. Green building can be one of the alternatives. Green building is an environmentally sustainable building, designed, constructed and operated to minimize the total environmental impacts. Three main benefits of green building are energy consumption reduction, water conservation and waste recycling.
 

   One benefit of green building is water preservation. Each person use about average 282 liters of water every day in Korea, and most of them are used to flush toilet, take shower or use the laundry machines. When we use water for these daily reasons, we generally draw clean water from the environment and deliver contaminated water back to the environment. Excessive use of water can also cause transport mechanism of other contaminants. Green building reuses the water called greywater, which is collected from laundry machines, dishwashers, bathtubs, and sinks. Water waste can be considerably reduced by using these collections as an on-site supply for flush water in toilets or irrigation water in gardens. We can also lessen worry about water pollution caused by returning contaminated water to the nature. From 20 to 60 percent of water consumption can be saved by green building.

 

   Another benefit of green building is waste reduction. After building deactivation or new construction, large amount of construction waste occurs. Construction waste consists of unwanted material produced directly or incidentally by the construction or industries. It may contain lead, asbestos, or other hazardous substances, which are harmful not only for environment but also for human. Some certain components of construction waste such as plasterboard are also hazardous when they are landfilled. It is broken down in landfill conditions releasing toxic gas. Green buildings utilize fewer materials through efficient design and elimination of unnecessary finish materials. For example, many green buildings employ exposed structural materials, rather than covering these materials with a wall finish. Materials considered to be green are used for the green buildings and they include rapidly renewable plant materials like bamboo and straw, dimension stone, recycled metal, and other products that are non-toxic, reusable, and recyclable.
 

   Energy efficiency is also a benefit of green building. A building cannot be green if it is not energy efficient because the energy used by building is mostly generated by burning fossil fuels, which releases greenhouse gas emissions that contribute climate change. Energy consumption during the manufacturing process can be reduced by careful use of materials. Construction techniques for green building can reduce the amount of construction waste that reaches landfills by more than 90 percent, and resource consumption can be reduced by re-using existing structures. To reduce operating energy use, designers use details that reduce air leakage through the building envelope. They also place porches and trees to shade windows and roofs during the summer while maximizing solar gain in the winter. Effective window placement can provide more natural light and lessen the need for electrical lighting during the day. We can save about 35 percent of energy by green building.

 

   Green building is reasonable enough to be implemented because it reduces energy consumption, saves water, and recycles waste from building construction and usage. Besides its environmental benefits, green building also has economic benefit by increasing property value and improving employee productivity, and social benefits of healthier lifestyles and recreation. This is time we obviously need to start to act to save our planet and green building will be a great help for us to preserve and protect the environment.

E-journal #2_Importance of place in a movie

Gotham City

     Where do you think is the most crime-plagued city? There may be many cities, but probably Gotham is one of them. Gotham city, the imaginary setting for the movie ‘Batman’, is a lawless world full of crimes. The hero Batman stands as a protector and savior of the city in the movie and the movie centers on the violent crimes of the city. This city, Gotham, is a very important element of the movie ‘Batman’ because it is not only the city which is needed for Batman but also the city which urgently needs Batman.

     Gotham city is an important and meaningful place for Batman. Without Gotham city, Batman would not have been created. Bruce Wayne, the real identity of Batman, lost his parents at an early age by a murder by a robber. This is the event by which Wayne decided to be a hero. If there was no such accident or if the accident did not happen in Gotham, Wayne would not have decided to defend the city. As a hometown and the city full of memories and inheritance from his parents, Gotham is a significant and valuable place for Wayne. Even if there are so many serious crimes, other cities are no concern for him. Only his city, Gotham, is so important that makes Wayne be a protector of it.

     Gotham city is also a city which badly needs help from Batman. Without Batman, Gotham would not have maintained. With so many corruption, cupidity and crimes, Gotham city is decayed and corrupted. The law is useless and even police are not reliable in this place. In such city, Batman is craved by weak and ordinary citizens. Without Batman, people would keep on being killed and suffer. There is also a reason why it has to be Batman. Unlike other cities which are protected and helped by other overall heroes, such as Superman and Ironman, there is no other hero to help Gotham. Only Batman is ready and willing to help this poor city.

     No other city can stand in for Gotham in the movie ‘Batman’. With strong connection between Batman and Gotham, Batman can be the only hero for the city and Gotham can be the only place for Batman to be a hero. Any other city cannot be so dark, dangerous and meaningful enough to arouse the need for Batman and any other hero cannot replace Batman. Someday, will society ever reach a point when all the crimes and dangers are gone so that it does not need heroes like Batman anymore?

Effects of Traditional Tourism in Busan

 Busan is one of the most beloved cities in Korea by both local and international tourists. Characterized by features of delicious foods, diverse sea, and delightful atmosphere, this representative port city is considered to be a very special place for the tourists. Also, as the cradle of cinema industry of Korea, Asia’s greatest international film festival BIFF is held in Busan every year collecting millions of people from all over the world. With so many attractions, an average of 190,000 foreign tourists visits Busan every month. However, with traditional tourism growing in large scale, side effect follows as well. The most important effects of traditional tourism in Busan are pollution of the environment and weakening of the local economy.

 One side effect of traditional tourism in Busan is pollution of the environment. Excessive development for constructing hotels has already caused loss of sand and decrease of white sand beach at Haeundae beach. If this kind of indiscriminate development continues to build large shopping centers and hotels, we might lose the natural beauty and clean environment of Busan. Also, people in Busan are having trouble with so much tour buses and traffic. As too much traffic causes serious air pollution, air condition of Busan can get worse and this can cause many health problems to citizens of Busan if mass group tour continues as now.

 The other side effect of traditional tourism in Busan is weakening of the local economy. Almost every tour that is guided by large travel agencies includes plans for visiting big department stores and duty-free shops. If tourists go to big shopping centers managed by large companies rather than traditional markets, local people cannot benefit from the tourism and regional economy can contract. Furthermore, traditional tourism can cause gentrification. As tourists pour into the specific spot, small traders and local people are pushed out by risen rent and big franchise companies take the place from them. If the spot which became famous for local reason is shifted with big companies, the place loses its own characteristic and can also lose tourists. In turn, the money from tourists does not go to the local economy and the place can even lose the identity.

 In conclusion, traditional tourism in Busan has side effects of environmental pollution and economic devastation for area communities. If these problems are not straightened out well, Busan will suffer in environmental and economical aspects. Therefore, much effort of the region and interest on the sustainable tourism by tourists will be needed. Such efforts will make Busan more widely loved city with sound and healthy tourism.

self-introduction

9/11/2016

Self-Introduction

Hello, everyone. It's good to be in a same class with all of you. My name is Yuna Shin. I was born on January 7th, 1994, in Seoul, and I lived my whole life here. I grew up in a very ordinary family, composed of four family members; Mom, dad, elder brother and me. My house is located in Yongsan-gu and we have been living in the same place for 8 years. Because our last house was in the same district, we actually lived near here for about 15 years. I major in Education since 2012 and my second major is English Language and Literature. I used to have a future goal of being an English teacher, but I gave it up. So I'm still struggling with my new future goal these days. My hobby is watching movies. I go to the theater at least once a month and even my favorite TV channel is CGV and OCN, the movie channels. I also love traveling. Last summer, I went on a trip to Thailand and Vietnam. It was extremely hot, but I really enjoyed my time in both of the countries. I wish I have a time for one more trip before I graduate Sungshin. As for my characteristic, I am quite a shy person and feel very nervous when talking in front of other people. But I'll try my best to participate actively in class. I hope we could get close to each other during our IERW class. Thanks for reading and see you on Tuesdays!